POSITION INDICATOR, SYSTEM COMPRISING SUCH POSITION INDICATOR AND METHOD FOR SCANNING A SURFACE BY HAND USING A SENSOR

Abstract: The invention relates to a position indicator for obtaining position-representing signals containing information about the position of a sensor with which a surface of for instance pipes, drums and tanks can be scanned. The position indicator comprises an element movably connected with a base body of the position indicator, of which element, during operation, a part to which the sensor can be connected is located outside the base body of the position indicator. Detection means of the position indicator detect an angular displacement of the element relative to a first axis, extending at least not substantially in a longitudinal direction of this part of the element, and changes of distance between a point of this part of the element and a point of the base body to obtain the position-representing signals.

Description: Title : Position indicator, system comprising such position indicator and method for scanning a surface by hand using a sensor. The invention relates to a position indicator for obtaining position-representing signals that contain information about the position of a sensor with which a surface of for instance pipes, drums and tanks can be scanned. The invention alsc relates to a system and method for scanning such a surface and for processing the measuring results thereof. In industry, such surfaces should often be checked for for instance corrosion and hair cracks. It is known to use an ultrasonic sensor for this, whose movements for scanning the surface are controlled completely automatically. These systems completely automatically provide that information is obtained about measured wall thicknesses with the associated sensor positions. Of course, other types of sensors can be used as well for obtaining physical and/or chemical information of the surface to be scanned. A drawback of such known systems is that they are not at all flexible. The systems are large and heavy and are often difficult to attach to a product to be examined. In this connection, one may for instance consider the legs of a platform at sea, which are of course poorly accessible for attaching such a heavy system. In still other situations, it appears that there is simply no place for arranging the system in the vicinity of the product to be examined. A further drawback of these known systems is that positioning means of the system with which the sensor can be sent to a particular position are rather vulnerable and in practice often prove to break down. In addition, because of their complexity, such systems are net very attractive from an economical viewpoint. The invention meets all these drawbacks and is ■ characterized in that the position indicator comprises an element movably connected with a base body of the position indicator, of which element, during operation, a part to which the sensor can be connected is located outside the base body of the position indicator, and detection means for detecting an angular displacement of the element relative to a first axis, extending at least not substantially in a longitudinal direction of this part of the element, and for detecting a change of distance between a point of this part of the element and a point of the base body to obtain the position- representing signals. The effect thus achieved is that a surface can be manually scanned by means of a sensor. The position-representing signals are related to polar coordinates. The position- epresenting signals can be used to detect, register and/or display which parts of the surface have been scanned and which parts are still to be scanned. The measuring results obtained by means of the sensor can also be further processed together and in combination with associated position coordinates obtained from the position-representing signals. For this purpose, the measuring results can for instance be fed to a calculating unit together with the position-representing signals, which calculating unit conveniently displays the measuring results in color or shades of grey in the form of a plot of the scanned surface. The position coordinates can be cartesian or for instance polar coordinates deduced from the position-representing signals. It is known to manually scan surfaces by means of a sensor. Such a system is flexible and economically advantageous, but has as a drawback that the measuring results cannot be displayed in the form of a plot. Hence, the position indicator according to the invention combines the advantages of an automated system and a manual system. In accordance with a very advantageous embodiment of the invention, the element comprises a pullcord of which a free end can be pulled outside the base body, the position indicator further comprising tension means for tensioning a part of the pullcord that is pulled outside the base body and to w h ich the sensor can be attached. The sensor can be attached to the pullcord. Such a position indicator is par t icularly light and flexible. The base body is for instance placed on the surface to be scanned, whereupon the scanner, moved by hand, causes the pullwire, which is held taut, to move. The movements of the wire (length and direction) are measured and converted into the position-representing signals based on polar coordinates. If so desired, a calculating unit can convert these signals into a rectangular coordinate system. The position indicator preferably comprises a reel on which the pullcord can be wound. This has as an advantage that the position indicator is particularly compact when it is not used, because the pullwire will then be wound up. Moreover, damage is practically impossible. Preferably, the reel is of such design that the pullcord is capable of coiling on the reel in a single layer winding. For this purpose, in accordance with a particular embodiment, the reel is provided with guide grooves enabling the pullcord to be wound up in a single layer. In accordance with a practical embodiment, the tension means exert a moment of force on the reel in a rotative direction according to which the pullcord is wound up by the reel. In this connection, the tension means may for instance comprise a spring motor. More particularly, the spring motor comprises a first and second spring-loaded drum and a leaf spring which, in a first extreme position, is wound substantially round the first spring-loaded drum and, in a second extreme position, substantially round the second spring-loaded drum, such that the leaf spring exerts a moment of force in order to coil round the first spring-loaded drum. The moment of force generated by such a spring motor is at least substantially constant. In accordance with a particular embodiment, the tension means further comprise a first and second intermediate reel and a drive cord which, in a first extreme position, is wound substantially round the first intermediate reel and, in a second extreme position, substantially round the second intermediate reel, the first intermediate reel being driven by the spring motor and the second intermediate reel driving the reel, as a result of which the pullcord is wound round the reel at an at least substantially constant force. The effect thus achieved is that the tension in the pullcord is always at least substantially constant, independent of the length through which it has been pulled out. Not only is this pleasant to the user, but it also enables the pullwire to be accurately dimensioned so that, on the one hand, it will not stretch out during use and, on the other, it is net unnecessarily thick. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the detection means comprise a rotation pickup having two parts that are rotatable relative to one another, a first part being attached to the base body and a second part being attached to the reel. The rotation pickup may for instance be of a known type counting the number of revolutions or parts of revolutions of the reel. Of course, this number is a measure for the length through which the wire is pulled out or wound up. In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention, the detection means comprise a rotation pickup having two parts that are rotatable relative to one another, a first part being attached to the base body and a second part being attached to the first intermediate reel, as a result of which the measured rotative movement of the second reel comprises a linear relation with a distance through which the pullcord is pulled out. In accordance with an advantageous embodiment, the position indicator further comprises a cord guide block mounted on the base body for rotation round the abov - mentioned axis, with a guide wheel along which the pullcord entering the base body is fed to the reel, the part of the pullcord that is pulled outside the base body determining the rotative position of the guide block. This allows the guide block to follow the direction in which the cord is moved in a simple manner. Preferably, a part of the pullcord extending between the guide wheel and the reel at least substantially coincides with this first axis to enable the rotation of the guide block relative to the base body in a simple manner. The cord guide block may further comprise a base part connected with the base body for rotation round the first axis, to which base part the wheel is attached, and a cord guide part through which the cord enters the base body, the cord guide part being connected with the base part for rotation round a second axis and the second axis being oriented perpendicularly relative to the first axis. This permits the cord to be moved up and down as well, during use, without the position indicator being damaged or not being capable of operating properly. In this connection, the second axis is for instance oriented perpendicularly relative to a longitudinal direction of the cord guide part. For obtaining the position-representing signals, the detection means can for instance detect an angular displacement round the first axis of the cord guide block relative to the base body. More particularly, the detection means for this purpose comprise a rotation pickup having two parts that are rotatable relative to one another, a first part of which is attached to the base body and a second part of which is attached to the cord guide block. The invention also relates to a system characterized by a position indicator as discussed hereinabove, a sensor connected with the element of the position indicator and a calculating unit to which the position-representing signals generated by the position indicator are fed, the calculating unit registering, cn the basis of the position-representing signals, which parts of the surface have been scanned with the sensor. It will be clear that any sensor known per se can be used for obtaining for instance physical and/or chemical information from the surface to be scanned. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the calculating unit comprises a display which graphically shows which parts of the surface have been scanned by the sensor. In accordance with the invention, a method for scanning a surface of for instance pipes, drums and tanks by means of a sensor, the sensor being moved by hand, is characterized in that the positions of the surface that are scanned by the sensor are detected. In particular, these positions are detected in polar coordinates. In addition, it is advantageous if the detected positions are shown on a display, enabling a person handling the sensor to see which positions of the surface have been scanned and which positions are still to be scanned. In particular, these surfaces are scanned ultransonically. The invention will be further explained hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is a partly cutaway side elevation of a position indicator according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the position indicator of Fig. 1 from a different direction, with a part of the base body left out; Fig. 3 is a partly cutaway top plan view of the position indicator of Fig. 1; and Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of a system comprising the position indicator of Fig. l, a sensor and a computer. In Figs 1-3, reference numeral 1 designates an exemplary embodiment of a position indicator according to the invention. The position indicator 1 comprises a base body 2 having a bottom plate 4. A cylindrical sidewall 6 of the base body 2 has an opening 8 extending in axial direction of the cylindrical sidewall through an angle of approximately 180 degrees. A frame 10 that is part of the base body 2 is fixedly connected with the bottom plate 4 and comprises among other things a reel 12 having a pullcord 14 wound thereon. A free end 16 of the pullcord 14 having a knot 18 is located outside the base body 2 and can be pulled away from the base body 2 (shown in dctted lines in Fig. 2) with the pullcord 14 unwinding from the reel 12. Under a top piece 24 of the frame 10, a cord guide block 20 is connected with the top piece 24 for rotation around a first vertical axis 22. For this purpose, a rotation pickup 26 has its housing 28 fixedly connected with the top piece 24, while the cord guide block 20 is connected with a rotatable shaft 30 of the rotation pickup 26. The rotation pickup 26 is of a generally known type and generates electric signals corresponding to a rotation of the shaft 30 relative to the base body 28. In this manner, pulses can for instance be generated for each rotation of the shaft 30 through an angle of 1/10 degree. By counting the pulses it can be determined through what angle the shaft 30 has been rotated. The direction of rotation can for instance be indicated by the length of the pulses or otherwise. Obviously, rotation pickups of another type can be used as well, such as for instance angular velocity pickups. After integration of the signals issued by such a pickup, an angle of rotation can be deduced as well. In addition, rotation pickups can be used that issue a signal directly related to an associated rotative position of the shaft 30. However, for the invention it is not important which type of rotation pickup is used. The cord guide block 20 consists of a base part 32 having a wheel 34 mounted thereon and a cord guide part 36 through which the pullcord 14 enters the base body 2 via the opening 8. The cord guide part 36 is connected with the base part 32 for rotation around a second axis 38 and the second axis 38 is perpendicularly oriented relative to the first shaft 30. The cord guide part 36 comprises a hollow, tubular part 40 through which the pullcord 14 is passed to the reel 12 via the wheel 34. The wheel 34 and the reel 12 are positioned relative to each other such that a part 42 of the pullcord, located between the wheel 34 and the reel 12, coincides with the first shaft 30. As a resulc, the pullcord 14 can be moved along a first path 44 in a horizontal plane without the reel 12 rotating due to this movement. Further, the extension of the tube 40 touches a guide surface 46 of the wheel 34 and crosses the axis 33. As a result, the pullcord 14 can be moved along a second path 48 in a vertical plane without the reel 12 rotating due to this movement. This means that the reel 12 only rotates when the pullcord is moved in a radial direction relative to the cylindrical base body 2. Tension means in the form of a spring motor 50 exert a moment of force on the reel 12 in a rotative direction according to which the pullcord 14 is wound up by the reel 12. The spring motor 50 comprises a first and second spring-loaded drum 52, 54 and a leaf spring 56 which in a first extreme position is wound at least substantially round the first spring-loaded drum 52 and in a second extreme position at least substantially round the second spring-loaded drum 54, such that the leaf spring exerts an at least practically constant moment of force to wind itself round the first spring-loaded drum 52. For this purpose, the first and second spring-loaded drums 52, 54 are rotatably connected with the frame 10. There are further provided a first and second intermediate reel 58, 60 and a drive cord 62, in a first extreme position wound at least substantially on the first intermediate reel 58 and in a second extreme position substantially on the second intermediate reel 60. The first intermediate reel 58 is directly driven by the spring motor 50, the second spring-loaded drum 54 and the first intermediate reel being mounted on the same rotary shaft 64. The second intermediate reel 60 directly drives the reel 12, both reels being mounted on a rotary shaft 66. The arrangement is such that the pullcord 14 is wound round the reel 12 at an at least substantially constant force. A second rotation pickup 68 has its housing 70 fixedly connected with the frame 10 and its rotary shaft 66 connected with the reel 1 . The second rotation pickup may be of the same type as the first rotation pickup 25. In this manner, pulses can for instance be generated for each rotation of the shaft 66 through an angle of 1/10 degree. By counting the pulses, it can be determined through what angle (which may be greater than 360 degrees) the shaft 66 has been rotated. Of course, it is also possible to attach the second rotation pickup 58 by its rotary shaft to the first intermediate reel 58, so that the measured angular movement comprises a linear relation with a distance through which the pullcord is pulled out. The position-representing signals S generated by the two rotation pickups 26, 68 are presented to an output 74 for further processing. The position indicator 1 further comprises a magnetic bottom plate 76 having a groove 78, enabling the position indicator 1 to be easily installed on a metal plate of tube. The operation of the position indicator 1 can be further explained with reference to a practical example in a system in accordance with the invention, as schematically shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a top plan view of a metal surface 80 that is to be scanned by means of an ultrasonic sensor 82, for instance to check the thickness of the plate 80 at different positions, to check the plate 80 for corrosion and/or hair cracks. For this purpose, the ultrasonic sensor 82 is attached to the wire 14 of the position indicator 1. In this example, the first shaft 30 of the position indicator 1 is perpendicular to the plate 80. If the sensor 82 is manually moved along the plate 80, the length of the part 84 of pullwire 14, located in a straight-stretched condition outside the base body 2, will generally vary. As a result of this variation, the reel 12 will wind up or unwind and the rotation pickup 68 will issue signals L that are dependent on this variation. The width of the reel 12 is dimensioned such that the pullcord can be wound up in a single layer. This has as an advantage that the signals L are directly proportional to variations in the length L. For this purpose, the reel is preferably provided with guide grooves enabling the pullcord to be wound up in a single layer. Likewise, this movement will generally result in a change of the angle F. This change in angle F will be accurately followed by the narrow tube 40 and accordingly by the cord guide block 20. Hence, the rotation pickup 25 will issue signals F that are dependent on this variation. Consequently, if rotation pickups are used that produce a pulse for each rotative change of for instance 1/10 degree, as discussed hereinabove, the signals L, F will have no absolute meaning but will be a measure for a change of position of the sensor 82 on the plate 80. Here, the signals L, F together form position-representing signals S in the form of (changes in) polar coordinates that are fed to a calculating unit 86. By means of the line 88, the information generated by the sensor 82 is fed to the calculating unit as well. The information from the sensor 82 is processed by the calculating unit and displayed in color by means of a display 90. The display shows a plot 92 of the plate 80 with the local thickness of the plate shown in a color related thereto. Accordingly, a person scanning the plate by hand also sees on the display which parts of the plate have been scanned and which parts of the plate are still to be scanned, if any. For calibrating the position indicator l, the sensor 82 may for instance first be placed on the predetermined position 94 of the plate. By the calculating unit, the rectangular coordinates (0,0) are assigned to this point. Subsequently, the sensor 82 is moved to the predetermined position 96. The distance between the positions 94, 96 is measured by hand and inputted in the calculating unit, which assigns the position coordinates (D,0) to this point. On the basis of the position-representing signals associated with the points (0,0) and (D,0), the calculating unit is capable of calculating in a known manner the position coordinates (X,Y) associated with any position-representing signals.

Claims: 1. A position indicator for obtaining position-representing signals containing information about the position of a sensor with which a surface of for instance pipes, drums and tanks can be scanned, characterized in that the position indicator comprises an element movably connected with a base body of the position indicator, of which element, during operation, a part to which the sensor can be connected is located outside the base body of the position indicator, and detection means for detecting an angular displacement of the element round a first axis, extending at least not substantially in a longitudinal direction of said part of the element, and for detecting a change of distance between a point of said part of the element and a point of the base body to obtain the position- representing signals. 2. A position indicator according to claim 1, characterized in that the element comprises a pullcord of which a free end can be pulled outside the base body, the position indicator further comprising tension means for tensioning a part of the pullcord that is pulled outside the base body and to which the sensor can be attached. 3. A position indicator according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises a reel on which the pullcord can be wound. 4. A position indicator according to claim 3, characterized in that the reel is provided with guide grooves enabling the pullcord to be wound up in a single layer. 5. A position indicator according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the tension means exert a moment of force on the reel in a rotative direction according to which the pullcord is wound up by the reel. 6. A position indicator according to claim 5, characterized in that the tension means comprise a spring motor. 7. A position indicator according to claim 6, characterized in that the spring motor comprises a first and second spring- loaded drum and a leaf spring which, in a first extreme position, is wound substantially on the first spring-loaded drum and, in a second extreme position, substantially on the second spring-loaded drum, such that the leaf spring exerts a moment of force in order to coil on the first spring-loaded drum. 8. A position indicator according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the tension means further comprise a first and second intermediate reel and a drive cord which, in a first extreme position, is wound substantially on the first intermediate reel and, in a second extreme position, substantially on the second intermediate reel, the first intermediate reel being driven by the spring motor and the second intermediate reel driving the reel. 9. A position indicator according to any one of preceding claims 2-8, characterized in that the detection means comprise a rotation pickup having two parts that are rotatable relative to one another, a first part being attached to the base body and a second part being attached to the reel for detecting a rotative movement of the reel. 10. A position indicator according to claim 8, characterized in that the detection means comprise a rotation pickup having two parts that are rotatable relative to one another, of which a first part is attached to the base body and a second part is attached to the first intermediate reel for detecting a rotative movement of the first intermediate reel. 11. A position indicator according to any one of preceding claims 2-10, characterized in that it comprises a cord guide block mounted on the base body for rotation round said first axis, with a guide wheel along which the pullcord entering the base body is fed to the reel, the part of the pullcord that is pulled outside the base body determining the rotative position of the guide block relative to the first axis. 12. A position indicator according to claim 11, characterized in that a part of the pullcord extending between the guide wheel and the reel at least substantially coincides with said first axis. 13. A position indicator according to claim 12, characterized in that the cord guide block comprises a base part connected with the base body for rotation round the first axis, to which base part the wheel is attached, and a cord guide part through which the cord enters the base body, the cord guide part being connected with the base part for rotation round a second axis and the second axis being oriented perpendicularly relative to the first axis. 1 . A position indicator according to claim 13, characterized in that the second axis is oriented perpendicularly relative to a longitudinal direction of the cord guide part. 15. A position indicator according to any one of preceding claims 11-14, characterized in that the detection means- detect an angular displacement round the first axis of the cord guide block relative to the base body. 16. A position indicator according to claim 14, characterized in that the detection means comprise a rotation pickup having two parts that are rotatable relative to one another, a first part of which is attached to the base body and a second part of which is attached to the cord guide block. 1 . A system characterized by a position indicator according to any one of the preceding claims, a sensor connected with the element of the position indicator and a calculating unit to which the position-representing signals generated by the position indicator are fed, the calculating unit registering, on the basis of the position-representing signals, which parts of the surface have been scanned by the sensor. 18. A system according to claim 17, characterized in tha the calculating unit comprises a display which graphically shows which parts of the surface have been scanned by the sensor. 19. A method for scanning a surface of for instance pipes, drums and tanks by means of a sensor, the sensor being moved by hand, characterized in that the positions of parts of the surface that are scanned by the sensor are registered. 20. A method according to claim 19, characterized in that said positions are registered in polar coordinates. 21. A method according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that the registered positions are shown on a display enabling a person handling the sensor to see which positions of the surface have been scanned and which positions are still to be scanned. 22. A method according to claim 21, characterized in that the registered positions are shown on a display with the measuring results of the surface obtained by the sensor.

Inventors: DIJKSTRA DURK, DIJKSTRA FREDERIK HENDRIK, DIJKSTRA, DURK, DIJKSTRA, FREDERIK, HENDRIK
Applicants: ROENTGEN TECH DIENST BV, ROENTGEN TECHNISCHE DIENST B.V.
Application year: 1994
Main classification: G01B5
IPC codes: G01B5